Why some Sharks players will be watching Super Bowl LX with keen interest
SANTA CLARA – At least one corner of the San Jose Sharks’ locker room, not to mention the coach’s room and front office, has a rooting interest in Super Bowl LX.
A handful of Sharks players, plus coach Ryan Warsofsky, are Massachusetts natives and grew up fans of the New England Patriots. General manager Mike Grier grew up in the Boston area while his father, Bobby, was a longtime coach and executive with the team. Bobby Grier passed away in September.
The Boston-area natives on the Sharks’ roster are forwards Will Smith, Collin Graf, and Adam Gaudette.
Smith said he had a chance to attend Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium, but decided he wanted to spend the time at home and watch the game with his family in the Boston area instead. The NHL is on break, with over 100 players taking part in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
“Too much travel,” Smith said about going back and forth. “I didn’t want to deal with it.”
Smith, 20, and Graf, 23, were too young (or not yet born) to remember the early years of the Patriots’ dynasty when they won three Super Bowls in four years between 2001 and 2004.
But the Pats followed that with three Super Bowls in five years, from 2014 to 2018.
“Growing up, obviously, they were really good, so I watched all the games, then maybe a little bit less just as you got older,” Graf said. “But I’ve watched all the playoff games.”
After three consecutive losing seasons, including two straight 4-13 years, the Patriots, thanks to quarterback Drake Maye and a stellar defense, went 14-3 and earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They beat the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos to advance to the Super Bowl.
“I remember watching Week One, and they lost to the Raiders,” Graf said of New England’s 20-13 loss to Las Vegas on Sept 7. “I was actually talking to (Barracuda center and Massachusetts native) Colin White about it. He had faith in them the whole time. So credit to him. He believed in them from the start.”
“Can’t complain, though,” Smith said when asked about the Patriots’ lean years. “I’ve got a bunch of championships from my childhood, more than most people will see.”
Maye had 15 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in his rookie season, completing 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards. This year, Maye completed 72.0% of his passes for 31 touchdowns and 4,394 yards, with just eight interceptions.
“I don’t think (anyone) was expecting the Super Bowl, but after watching Maye last year, I think everyone knew he would be pretty good,” Smith said. It’s super exciting.”
What stands out about this Patriots team?
“I would say just the heart, just sort of having that underdog mentality,” said Graf, who also traveled home for the break. “I know they’ve sort of played some weird games, but I don’t think they’re the most skilled team. It’s just that underdog mentality (they have).”